The third bellwether trial against Johnson & Johnson in the litigation over its talcum powder products began last week in St. Louis. Johnson & Johnson is facing hundreds of lawsuits filed on behalf of women who were diagnosed with ovarian cancer after using Johnson’s Baby Powder, Shower to Shower, and other talcum powder products sold by the company.

Two previous bellwether trials in the talcum powder litigation against Johnson & Johnson were heard in St. Louis state court earlier this year. In the first case, a jury awarded $72 million in damages to the family of an Alabama woman who died from ovarian cancer after using talcum powder products made by Johnson & Johnson. In the second case, jurors awarded $55 million to a woman who used Johnson & Johnson talcum powder products and underwent a total hysterectomy after she developed ovarian cancer.

The third bellwether case was filed by Deborah Giannecchini, a California woman who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2012 after years of using Johnson & Johnson talc products. The lawsuit alleges that Johnson & Johnson knew about the link between its talcum powder products and an increased risk of ovarian cancer, but failed to properly warn consumers about this risk.

Giannecchini’s attorney says that after Johnson & Johnson became aware of the link between talcum powder and ovarian cancer, the company began to market its talc products to African American and Hispanic women. Women in these two groups are among the greatest users of talcum powder and may face additional risks of developing ovarian cancer, Giannecchini’s attorney said.

Multiple studies have pointed to a link between talcum powder and an increased risk of ovarian cancer. According to a study published in 2013 by the journal Cancer Prevention Research, women who use talcum powder products for feminine hygiene are 20-30% more likely to develop ovarian cancer. Another study published in 2016 found that talcum powder users were 33% more likely to develop ovarian cancer.

Johnson & Johnson is facing at least 1,800 lawsuits in St. Louis filed on behalf of women who were diagnosed with ovarian cancer after using the company’s talcum powder products. Hundreds of additional lawsuits have also been filed against the company in New Jersey state court.

Talcum Powder Lawsuits Filed on Behalf of Cancer Victims

Women who used talcum powder products sold by Johnson & Johnson or other manufacturers who were diagnosed with ovarian cancer may be eligible to file a lawsuit. The first step in taking legal action is to speak with a law firm whose attorneys have the experience with product liability litigation to advise you of your legal rights and guide you through the process of filing a claim.

The lawyers at Heygood, Orr & Pearson have taken on some of the world’s largest corporations on behalf of our clients. Our firm is dedicated to the belief that all consumers should have the right to qualified legal counsel to ensure that their legal rights are fully protected.

For more information about filing a talcum powder lawsuit and for a free legal consultation to find out whether you may be eligible to file a case, contact the lawyers at Heygood, Orr & Pearson by calling toll-free at 1-877-446-9001. You also can reach us by calling toll-free at 1-877-446-9001, or filling out the free case evaluation form located at the top of this page.